*ZEN
Zen is a fusion between Buddhism (Indian/Chinese/Japanese religion) and Taoism (Chinese philosophy). Zen is the peculiarly Chinese way of accomplishing the BUDDHIST goal of seeing the world "just as it is" apart from any specific thoughts about it and with a mind that has no grasping thoughts or feelings. Zen holds that such freedom (copy to "truth will set you free") of mind cannot be attained by gradual practice but must come through direct and immediate insight. Zen abandons both theorizing and systems of spiritual exercise and communicates its vision of truth by a method known as direct pointing. Its exponents answer all philosophic or religious questions by nonsymbolic words or actions; the answer is the action "just as it is" and not what it represents. Typical is the reply of the Zen master who being asked "What is the Way [of Zen]?" answered, "A cloud in the sky and water in the jug!" (Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia)